2014 Hyundai Veloster earns top safety rating

Which is a safer vehicle, a 2 ½ ton army truck or a sporty compact? The answer is obvious; however, a sporty compact like the Hyundai Veloster is a heck of a lot more fun to drive. To address this issue, the folks at Hyundai made every effort to incorporate safety features into the al-new 2014 Veloster. They were rewarded for their efforts; on March 28, Hyundai Motor America announce that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded an overall five-star crash test rating, which is the highest rating given by the organization, to the 2014 Hyundai Veloster. The sporty three-door vehicle received four stars in front and rollover crash tests; five stars were awarded by the NHTSA for the side crash test. Hyundai notes that this is the first time the vehicle has been rated under NHTSA’s more stringent tests and five-star rating system.

Hyundai note that the Veloster achieves its high level of safety via its Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system, which manages the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and the Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS). The 2014 Veloster comes in several flavors: Veloster, Veloster Turbo and, new for 2014, the RE:FLEX and Veloster Turbo R-Spec. All vehicles are powered by Hyundai’s 1.6 liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine; however, the turbo versions supply significantly more oomph. The base model churns out 131 HP while the turbo version ups the horses to 201. The base model has a MSRP of $17,800 MSRP and the Turbo R-Spec goes for $21,300.

All Velosters contain Hyundai’s braking package, which includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which comes into play when a panic stop is detected and applies maximum braking force. All Velosters also feature Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which automatically adjusts the braking force to front and rear axles based dependent upon vehicle loading conditions. Air bags are safety features of proven value. All Velosters feature six airbags, including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags, together with a rear-view camera and daytime running lights.

“The Veloster nameplate was designed to bring a new, unconventional look to the subcompact car segment without compromising occupant safety,” noted Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. He added, “Through the employment of high-tech safety systems like Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist and the use of high-strength, yet lightweight materials during construction, we are able to deliver a package that is unique, but safer than ever.”

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Robin Wulffson is a California native and a graduate of the UCLA School of Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Lifetime Fellow of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He served as a battalion surgeon with the 2/77th Artillery, 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam; he was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. Following his specialty training, he practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Orange County, California for 25 years. In addition to his medical and military background, he has a keen interest in technology, including automobiles. Since 1998, he has done freelance writing in the healthcare field. He has published two novels, which feature a strong female protagonist: An Improbable Cause and Avalon. Dr. Wulffson resides with his family in Tustin, California.